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Historical records

Landgate is one of the oldest State Government agencies. It was originally known as The Survey Office of Western Australia and created as early as 1829. We hold valuable State archives of historic titles, maps, charts, survey plans and an array of other historic records that date back to the first colonisation of the Swan River Settlement.

Search of Historical Tenure in the Historical Database (Hourly rate or part thereof in addition to the historical record)

$126.00

Please note: Searching for Historical Records is a staff-assisted service. Prices and delivery times may vary. In most cases an estimated cost can be provided before a search is commenced.

If a Research Report is prepared, in addition to the Historic Tenure Record, an hourly rate of $184.80 GST inc. or part thereof is applicable.

Find answers to your most common enquiries about historical records.

Can I perform a historical search myself?

Searching for historical records is a staff assisted service. Landgate provides this service in person, at our Midland office, or by request form. Once completed, request forms can be emailed, posted or faxed into Landgate.

What are perches, acres, roods, chains, hectares and links?

Perches, acres, roods, chains and links are Imperial (pre-metric) units of measurement used by surveyors during the 1800's.

One rood is equal to 1/4 acre or 40 perches. To convert acres, roods and perches to square metres, use our online area conversion calculator.

A hectare is a metric measurement. One hectare equals 10 000 square metres.

What historical records does Landgate keep?

ex-owners and sales information of a property

Certificates of Title dating back to 1875 (Torrens system)

detailed written reports, including 'chain of title' searches

cancelled Certificates of Title

historical maps showing land tenure

cancelled public plans

Crown and freehold surveys

Crown leases and registers

Deeds of Memorial and indexes and registers dating back to 1829

historic maps and imagery dating back to 1948.

What is a SMR digital history list?

A SMR digital history list shows any transaction that has occurred on a digital title since its creation. Digital titles only show current information, so to research the land transactions that have taken place since the title became digital, a SMR digital history list is needed.

What is a transfer of land document?

Transfer of land documents are documents that create a change to a Certificate of Title when lodged and registered at Landgate.